Hinge structure

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to improvements in door hinges and more particularly to the improvements in door hinges of the type commercially known as &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Paumelle&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; hinges. The hinge structure disclosed herein is representative of one embodiment of the invention and comprises a pair of cooperatively disposed hinge members each having a hinge plate and a hinge knuckle positioned intermediate the upper and lower margins of each plate. One plate is for attachment to a door-supporting frame and the other is designed for attachment to a fixed door frame structure such as a door jamb. The door hinge knuckle adjacently superimposes the other hinge knuckle and a hinge pin extends through and is secured against axial displacement with respect to both of the knuckles. Hinge knuckle caps are frictionally attached to the lower and upper extremities of the combined knuckles.

United States Patent Primary Examiner Bobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman A!t0rneyOlson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell ABSTRACT: This invention relates generally to improvements in door hinges and more particularly to the improvements in door hinges ofthe type commercially known as Paumelle" hinges. The hinge structure disclosed herein is representative of one embodiment of the invention and comprises a pair of cooperatively disposed hinge members each having a hinge plate and a hinge knuckle positioned intermediate the upper and lower margins of each plate. One plate is for attachment to a door-supporting frame and the other is designed for attachment to a fixed door frame structure such as a door jamb. The door hinge knuckle adjacently superimposes the other hinge knuckle and a hinge pin extends through and is secured against axial displacement with respect to both of the knuckles. Hinge knuckle caps are frictionaily attached to the lower and upper extremities of the combined knuckles.

PATENTEDAumHsn 3,599,275

Inventor Kari If rw-rzouf HINGE STRUCTURE It is an important object of the present invention to provide a Paumelle-type hinge in which the hinge knuckles thereof may be formed integral with their complementary hinge plates such as by rolling or curling the material of the knuckle stock. It has been found satisfactory, for example, to employ sheet steel having a Brinnell hardness of 8090, Rockwell B Scale,

which after being rolled to form a hinge knuckle actually work hardens. It is very important that the strength of the hinge structure in the area which connects the knuckle with the hinge plate be maintained. It has for example, been the practice in some instances to produce Paumelle-type hinges in which the hinge knuckle comprises a machined sleeve which is welded to the margin of a complementary hinge plate. This presents certain disadvantages because welding heat tends to anneal and hence soften the metal. The production of hinge knuckles by rolling as referred to above, has been found to be very practical. In addition it has been found that flat cold rolled steel plate has a finer porous structure and thus lends itself to fine finishing by the electroplating process, whereas the porosity of welding tends to leave pin holes which are difficult to finish, and the same applies to forging to a lesser degree.

Hence, by employing the rolled or curled knuckle the entire hinge structure retains a very smooth surface which enhances the exterior appearance.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved Paumelle-type hinge structure having the required strength in the area where the hinge knuckle is joined to the margin of the hinge plate.

Another serious problem which conventional Paumelletype hinges present is that of preventing decorative hinge caps or cover plates from being dislodged from their normal position at the upper and lower extremities of the hinge knuckles. Such dislodgement frequently results from the longitudinal movement of the hinge pins within the knuckles. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hinge structure of the type referred to above wherein the tendency for the hinge pin to dislodge cover plates or caps is eliminated. To this end it is proposed to provide a hinge structure in which the hinge pin is secured against relative axial movement with respect to the hinge knuckles with which it is associated.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a Paumelle-type hinge structure embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hinge parts which comprise the hinge structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the upper hinge knuckle taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the lower hinge knuckle taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a central vertical sectional view of the combined hinge knuckles, the hinge pin, antifriction bearing and hinge caps being shown in elevation.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various views it will be seen that a complete hinge structure of the type contemplated by the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. The hinge structure I0 includes a pair of hinge members 12 and 14. The hinge member 12 includes a hinge plate 16 adapted for attachment to the margin of a door member (not shown) as by means of suitable screws received by apertures I8. The hinge member 14 also includes a hinge plate 20 adapted for attachment to a fixed frame member such as a doorjamb (not shown). The hinge plate 20 like the hinge plate I6 is provided with apertures 22 for accommodating suitable screw fasteners. A neck portion 24 extends from the hinge plate I6 intermediate at the upper and lower margins thereof andv terv knuckle 26 defining a hinge pin opening 27. The hinge knuckle 26 is disposed in adjacent superimposed alignment with the upper extremity of a complementary hinge knuckle 28 which forms the rolled or curled extremity of a neck portion 30 formed integral with the hinge plate 20.

Particular attention is directed to the manner in which a hinge pin 32 is mounted within the hinge knuckles 26 and 28. The upper portion of the hinge pin 32 of reduced diameter is accommodated by a bushing 34, seated within the upper knuckle 26. It has been found preferable to form the bushing 34 of suitable self-lubricating material, such as Oilite Bronze or the like. The lower extremity of the bushing 34 is provided with a flange 36 which is nested within a complementary recess or counterbore 38 at the lower extremity of the hinge knuckle 26. The lower extremity of the hinge pin 32 is provided with splines 40 and is driven into the aperture 42 defined by the wall of the hinge knuckle 28. An integral flange 44 positioned intermediate the extremities of the hinge pin 32 supports a suitable antifriction thrust bearing 46. In the disclosed embodiment this bearing is of the ball type and the upper race thereof projects slightly above the upper limits of the knuckle 28 when the bearing and hinge pin occupy the assembled position shown in FIG. 5, so as to withstand the weight of a supported door. In this position the'flange 44 and ball bearing 46 are housed within a counter bore or recess 48 which forms the upper continuation of the bore 42. The flange 44 serves to secure the hinge pin 32 against downward dislodgement with respect to the hinge knuckles.

With the previously described parts in assembled relation as shown in FIG. 5, the flange 36 of the sleeve bearing 34 rests against the upper race member of the bearing 46 and the lower side of the flange 44 rests against the bottom wall of the counter bore 48. Thus the hinge pin is secured against rotation with respect to the hinge knuckle 28 whereas the hinge knuckle 26 and associated bushing sleeve 34 are free to rotate about the upper extremity of the hinge pin 32. The thrust load exerted by the weight of the door member to which the hinge plate 16 is attached is thus transmitted to the upper race of the ball bearing 46. It will be clear that the foregoing arrangement precludes unauthorized relative axial movement between the hinge pin 32 and the associated hinge knuckles 26 and 28.

Decorative hinge caps or cover members 50 and 52 are associated with the upper and lower extremities respectively of the combined hinge knuckles 26-28 as shown in FIG. 5. A cylindrical section 54 of reduced diameter extends downwardly from the head of the cap 50 and is frictionally held against dislodgment by impingement with the inner wall of the sleeve bearing 34. A counterbore 56 provided in the upper extremity of the hinge knuckle 26 snugly accommodates the head of the cap 50 resulting in a smooth flush outer trim appearance to the hinge knuckle 26. Likewise a cylindrical extension 58 of reduced diameter extending upwardly from the head of the cap 52 is frictionally accommodated by the wall surface defining a recess 60 provided within the lower extremity of the hinge pin 32. The hinge knuckle 28 is provided with a counter bore 62 to accommodate the head of the cap 52 as clearly shown in FIG. 5. Thus both the lower and upper extremities of the combined hinge knuckles present a very trim, neat appearance. By having the hinge pin 32 secured against relative axial movement with respect to the associated hinge knuckles as previously described the caps 50 and 52 are not subjected to any forces which might otherwise tend to dislodge them.

The above described hinge structure makes it possible to employ hinge knuckles which form continuations of the hinge plate stock. The integral extensions from the hinge plate margins may be rolled into the shape required for the knuckles. Thus the strength of the material supporting the hinge knuckles is maintained and the material which is rolled or curled to form the knuckles is actually work hardened as a result of the rolling process. The antifriction thrust bearings sustain the entire load or weight of the door to which the hinges are attached. The upper and lower recesses in the hinge knuckles together with the inner wall of the sleeve bearing and the wall defining the aperture in the lower portion of the hinge pin cooperate to assure no unintentional dislodgement of the hinge caps and also permit the outer surfaces of these caps to remain flush with the outer surfaces of their respective hinge knuckles. Flanges on the Oilite bearing 34 and on the hinge pin 32 present vertical displacement of either the Oilite bearing or the hinge pin in the process of hanging the door. The caps 50 and 52 are attached to the inner bore of the Oilite bearing and the hinge pin respectively, making the attachment of the caps relatively independent of the hinge knuckle. Prior designs depend upon attachment of the caps directly to the hinge knuckles, and as a result, distortion due to lateral door loads, which might tend to distort or open up the hinge knuckle, would have a tendency to cause the caps to drop out. Such distortion might be limited to that occurring during the hanging of the door, but would still be sufflcient to create a problem. Thus the invention contemplates a neat, trim appearing Paumelle-type hinge structure having the required strength to support heavy loads and capable of being produced at minimum cost.

The invention l claim is as follows:

1. A hinge structure comprising first and second coopera tively disposed hinge members, the first hinge member including a hinge plate for attachment to the vertical margin of a door member and a hinge knuckle positioned intermediate to the upper and lower margins of said hinge plate, the second hinge member including a hinge plate for attachment to a door-supporting frame and a hinge knuckle positioned intermediate the upper and lower margins of said second hinge plate. the knuckle of the first hinge plate adjacently superimposing the knuckle of the second hinge plate, a bushing sleeve within said first hinge knuckle secured against upward dislodgment with respect thereto, a vertical hinge pin having its upper extremity telescopically associated with said sleeve, the lower extremity of said pin being telescopically associated with said second hinge knuckle and secured against axial downward dislodgment with respect thereto, the lower extremity of said hinge pin being recessed to telescopically accommodate a knuckle cap, a knuckle cap nested within the lower extremity of said second hinge knuckle and frictionally impinging the wall defining said pin aperture, and a knuckle cap nested within the upper extremity of said first hinge knuckle and frictionally impinging the upper portion of the inner wall surface of said sleeve member.

2. The hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cap associated with the upper knuckle includes an upper cylindrical portion and'a lower portion of reduced diameter frictionally impinging the upper portion of the inner wall surface of the sleeve member.

3. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cap associated with the lower hinge knuckle includes a lower cylindrical portion and a portion of reduced diameter extending upwardly therefrom and impinging the wall defining the hinge pin aperture.

4. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hinge pin is provided with flange means intermediate the upper and lower extremities thereof.

5. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein antifriction bearing means encircles the hinge pin in the vicinity of the upper extremity of the lower hinge knuckle.

6. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hinge pin is provided with flange means intermediate the extremities thereof in the vicinity of the upper extremity of the lower hinge knuckle and thrust bearing means is provided immediately adjacent the upper surface of said flange means.

7. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower extremity of the sleeve bearing associated with the upper knuckle is provided with flange means adapted to bear against the upper side of thrust bearing means supported within the lower hinge knuckle.

8. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper extremity of the upper hinge knuckle is recessed to accommodate the upper. cap with the outer surface of said cap in substantially flush relation with the adjacent upper surface of the associated hinge knuckle and the lower extremity of the lower hinge knuckle is recessed to accommodate the other cap with the outer surface thereof in substantially flush relation with the adjacent end surface of the lower hinge knuckle.

9. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the periphery of the lower extremity of the hinge pin impinges the complementary inner periphery of the lower hinge knuckle so as to secure said parts against unauthorized relative rotation.

10. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower hinge knuckles are integral extensions of the stock of the hinge plates. 

1. A hinge structure comprising first and second cooperatively disposed hinge members, the first hinge member including a hinge plate for attachment to the vertical margin of a door member and a hinge knuckle positioned intermediate to the upper and lower margins of said hinge plate, the second hinge member including a hinge plate for attachment to a door-supporting frame and a hinge knuckle positioned intermediate the upper and lower margins of said second hinge plate, the knuckle of the first hinge plate adjacently superimposing the knuckle of the second hinge plate, a bushing sleeve within said first hinge knuckle secured against upward dislodgment with respect thereto, a vertical hinge pin having its upper extremity telescopically associated with said sleeve, the lower extremity of said pin being telescopically associated with said second hinge knuckle and secured against axial downward dislodgment with respect theReto, the lower extremity of said hinge pin being recessed to telescopically accommodate a knuckle cap, a knuckle cap nested within the lower extremity of said second hinge knuckle and frictionally impinging the wall defining said pin aperture, and a knuckle cap nested within the upper extremity of said first hinge knuckle and frictionally impinging the upper portion of the inner wall surface of said sleeve member.
 2. The hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cap associated with the upper knuckle includes an upper cylindrical portion and a lower portion of reduced diameter frictionally impinging the upper portion of the inner wall surface of the sleeve member.
 3. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cap associated with the lower hinge knuckle includes a lower cylindrical portion and a portion of reduced diameter extending upwardly therefrom and impinging the wall defining the hinge pin aperture.
 4. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hinge pin is provided with flange means intermediate the upper and lower extremities thereof.
 5. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein antifriction bearing means encircles the hinge pin in the vicinity of the upper extremity of the lower hinge knuckle.
 6. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hinge pin is provided with flange means intermediate the extremities thereof in the vicinity of the upper extremity of the lower hinge knuckle and thrust bearing means is provided immediately adjacent the upper surface of said flange means.
 7. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower extremity of the sleeve bearing associated with the upper knuckle is provided with flange means adapted to bear against the upper side of thrust bearing means supported within the lower hinge knuckle.
 8. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper extremity of the upper hinge knuckle is recessed to accommodate the upper cap with the outer surface of said cap in substantially flush relation with the adjacent upper surface of the associated hinge knuckle and the lower extremity of the lower hinge knuckle is recessed to accommodate the other cap with the outer surface thereof in substantially flush relation with the adjacent end surface of the lower hinge knuckle.
 9. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the periphery of the lower extremity of the hinge pin impinges the complementary inner periphery of the lower hinge knuckle so as to secure said parts against unauthorized relative rotation.
 10. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower hinge knuckles are integral extensions of the stock of the hinge plates. 